We’re exiting the futuristic-looking, climate-controlled air lock, where I inspected the vertical towers. I inspected the plants, the automation systems. I checked the LED panels and looked at the monitoring data in the control room. I saw the problem patterns immediately. Even though I was only half-listening to the facility manager and lead engineer, I could see what was working and what wasn’t—why they’re having technical issues. I could, quite literally, do this in my sleep. And for the first time ever, I am attending a meeting while very, very sleepy.
I’m pretty sure Alfie and Baxter can tell that I have a sex hangover, even though I blamed it on jet lag. They follow me on Instagram. They’ve seen and liked the posts of me with Olivia. Idohave jet lag. It has been a long time since I’ve suffered from it, but I’m fairly certain that people with jet lag don’t walk aroundwith big stupid grins on their faces. I can’t focus. This is not ideal.
If I’m not careful, I might give these guys another seventy-five million so I can go home and wait for Olivia to get back. She was not delighted when I kissed her goodbye and told her a driver would be picking her up to take her to a ballet class. She was hoping to stay in bed. I keep checking my phone to see if she’s texted me, because I can’t wait to find out how happy she is.
As we walk back to the meeting offices, I check my phone’s reception again.
Alfie clears his throat. “You certainly do seem to have it bad, Mr. Brandt,” he says with a grin. “Jet lag, I mean.”
“Perhaps you’re a bit peckish from the…lack of sleep?” Baxter asks. “Should we order a takeaway?”
Ifpeckishmeanshorny, then yes. Without even looking at the data, I can confirm that I am both immensely satisfied and supremely libidinous. However…
MIT-grad billionaire VC-mode activated. “Nothing for me—thanks.” As I take a seat at the meeting table, I slide my glasses up the bridge of my nose, tug on my shirt cuffs, and then clasp my hands together. Didn’t take notes, and I don’t need them. But I did get some good pictures to show Merrick. “Thank you for the tour, gentlemen. I don’t need to tell you that your energy costs are killing you. What I can tell you is that your HVAC system is running too often, and the LED efficiency is lower than spec. The light spectrum is wrong for leafy greens. Dr. Merrick published on all of this in 2019.”
Alfie combs his fingers through his hair. “We have the research. We’ve read the research… We just can’t seem to implement it properly.”
“This is exactly why we need Merrick and only him,” Baxter says, pacing.
“And I will get him for you. I have a meeting with him at his home tomorrow.” I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. “I’m confident that we can scale once he guides you toward consistent yields and…”
Finally, a text from Olivia.
“Excuse me, I just need to…”
OLIVIA
How on earth did you get me into this Royal Ballet class with the company?!
ME
Oh, you know. Jedi mind tricks.
OLIVIA
Man, when you go into Good Boyfriend mode, you really lean in, huh?
ME
Yes, there was an update. It addressed a few bugs and user-related complaints.
OLIVIA
Seriously, though. Did you make a donation or something?
ME
General Relativity Ventures has been a sponsor for the past year or so.
OLIVIA
Fancy that.
ME
Fancy that.
OLIVIA
